The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 82

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1072

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JOHN FRANKLIN LOVELACE, one of the highly successful business men of Estacada, where he engages in the flour and feed busi- ness, was born in Missouri on the 12th of November, 1861. He is a son of Alfred M. and Elizabeth M. (Caton) Lovelace, likewise natives of Missouri, whence they crossed the plains in 1863 to Idaho. They first located in Idaho City, but in 1864 they came to Oregon and the following year the father filed on a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Damascus. This prop- erty has greatly increased in value of re- cent years and has been divided into small tracts and sold. The father was one of

seven children born to his parents, as fol- lows: James, David, Lucy, Thomas, Alfred, Elizabeth and William. Mr. and Mrs. Al- fred M. Lovelace were married on the old, Caton homestead in the vicinity of Sedalia, Missouri, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom our subject is the eld- est. Alice and Ella, the two oldest daugh- ters, are both deceased. Anna became tlie wife of Edward Bateman of Portland by whom she has had one son, Clarence. Ada mar- ried William English, of Banks, Oregon. Fred and William, the next two in order of birth, are deceased. Lillian married Robert Board, of Alaska and they have three children: Argie, Forest and Robert. Robert, who is a resident of Damascus, is married and has four children: Alton, Thomas, Vivian and Ada. Pearl, the youngest member of the family, is deceased.

John Franklin Lovelace, who was only a child of two years when his parents crossed the plains and three when they removed to Oregon, has practically always lived in this state. He was given a limited education, ter- minating his student days at the age of four- teen, when he became a wage earner. His first position was in a dairy where he received fifteen dollars per month for his services for six months. At the expiration of that time he severed his connection with the latter en- terprise and during the succeeding eight years he followed various occupations. De- siring to have a business of his own he ap- plied himself energetically to anything he undertook and having accumulated sufficient capital he opened a general mercantile es- tablishment in Damascus which he operated with a fair degree of success for two years. Selling his store at the end of that time he went to Portland and worked cn a

salary for seven years. From there lre went to Springwater and es- tablished a general mercantile store, but four years later he disposed of this also and once more became a resident of Portland. He remained there for five years and at the end of that period again engaged in business in Springwater. Eighteen months later he sold his establishment and in 1905 he came to Estacada and opened a general mercantile store which he operated for two years, selling the first goods ever sold in Estacada, Oregon. He then sold out and went into the flour and feed business. This has proven to be a very lucrative undertaking and he has built up a fine trade, not only in the town but among the farming people in the surrounding country. Mr. Lovelace has invested and traded in local property and owns some very valuable business and residence lots in the town, the value of which is rapidly increas- ing, and he is considered to be one of Esta- cada's most wealthy business men.

Mr. Lovelace has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Effie Deardorff, the event being celebrated in 1886. She was a daughter of David Deardorff, of Damascus, a well known pioneer of that section who came to Oregon in 1852. Two children were born of this marriage. Smiley H., who was born on January 10, 1888, in Portland, Oregon, and was given the advantages of a high-school

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education, is now engaged in business with his father. He married Miss Ollie Jones, a daughter of Jerry Jones, and they have one son, Leslie L., whose birth occurred on Octo- ber 29, 1911. Ava W. was born September 5, 1890, in Springwater, Oregon, and received a college education. She became the wife of Neil Bronson, of Estacada, and they have one son, Harold, born September 19, 1908, in Portland, Oregon. For his second wife Mr. Lovelace chose Miss Mabel Commons, who was born in Newton, Kansas, on the 24th of December, 1877, and is a daughter of Nathan and Emma Commons. Nathan Com- mons, who was an old Grand Army of the Republic man, was through all of the Civil war, is now deceased. Mrs. Lovelace is a member of a family of nine, four of whom besides herself living, as follows: Robert, of Portland; Della, also a resident of Portland; Daisy, the wife of Arthur Walker, of Newton, Kansas; and Bion, a resident of Portland, who is married and has a family. Mr. and Mrs. Lovelace were married on October 1, 1899, and they have two sons: Raymond, born in Viola, Oregon, October 17, 1901; and Arnold, born in Portland, Oregon, October 11, 1904.

Mr. Lovelace takes an active interest in all municipal affairs and is independent in poli- tics. He is highly regarded in the community and his fellow townsmen have several times called him to public office. He served as alderman for four years, and during that time was chairman of the finance committee, and was then known and popularly called the watch dog of the treasury. He also served on the street and alley committee and was on the fire and water board. In addition to the duties here involved, Mr. Lovelace was the first clerk of school district No. 108 in Estacada and held this office for three years. He is held in high esteem and has many friends here, as in the discharge of both his public and private duties he has always manifested those qualities which command respect.

JOHN TUNELL. One of the best im- proved ranches in the vicinity of Creswell is that of John Tunell, who owns thirty-two acres located two miles south of town on the Willamette river. He was born in Cook county, Illinois, on the 15th of October, 1851, the eldest child and only son of John and Mary (Balkey) Tunell. Of their two daugh- ters, the elder, Minnie, married William Lane, a ranchman at Cottage Grove; and Louisa became the wife of George Gilfry of Creswell. The father was born in the kingdom of Han- over, Germany, on the 8th of January, 1821, and there he was reared and married. In 1849 he emigrated with his wife to the United States, first locating in Cook county, Illinois. From there they went to Bremer county, Iowa, and two years later they became residents of Freeborn county, Minnesota, where the father bought a quarter section of land, that he cultivated for seventeen years. In 1873 he came to Oregon, settling in Douglas county and four years later came to Lane county and bought five acres of land in the vicinity of Creswell on the Willamette river, where

he passed away on the 11th of March, 1911. Mr. Tunell was one of five brothers to come to the United States, of which he became a citizen in 1871 in Freeborn county, Minne- sota. His political support lic accorded to the republican party. The mothicr was also a native of Ilanover, where her birth occurred on the 17th of September, 1813, and she died at Creswell on the 1st of August, 1891.

The boyhood and youth of John Tunell were passed on the home farm in Minnesota. where he received his agricultural training under the supervision of his father, while pur- suing his studies in the district schools. After coming to Lanc county he and his father erected a gristmill on their ranch on the Willamette river which they operated until 1909, in connection with the cultivation of their land. They then discontinued the opera- tion of the mill and converted the building into a power plant, which supplies the town of Creswell with electric light. Mr. Tunell lias extended the boundaries of his ranch by the purchase of an adjoining tract of twen- ty-seven acres, all of which he has brought under high cultivation. Twenty acres he de- votes to the raising of grain and the remain- der is used for pasture, orchard and general farming, in connection with which he also raises such stock as he needs for operating his place and household use. He is a man of practical ideas, clear judgment and tireless energy and is meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. He values his place at twenty-five thousand dollars, as it is well improved, thoroughly equipped and the land is very fertile and in excellent condition. Be- sides its advantages agriculturally, Mr. Tunell has a monoply on the water rights and as Creswell is a rapidy growing and thriving town, has every reason to feel assured that ultimately this privilege will also net him a handsome revenue.

Mr. Tunell has never married, lives with his two nephews, John Lindsay and James Lane. He is a Lutheran in faith and frater- nally he is affiliated with the Masonic order. as a member of the lodge at Creswell. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. Mr. Tunell has always led a quiet. unobtrusive life as one of the foremost agri- culturists in his community, where he is meet- ing with that success which invariably crowns intelligent and capably directed effort.

Z. G. HARRIS has leased and is operating the Harvey ranch of thirteen hundred acres at the south end of Summer lake. He was born in Iron county, Missouri, November 3. 1874, and about 1884 became a resident of the Goose Lake valley in Modoc county, Cal- ifornia, having journeyed westward with his father, S. B. Harris. His mother, Statia (De Guire) Harris, died in Missouri when her son was but three years of age, after whichi the father married Lizzie Sutton and both died in Modoc county, California, the latter in the spring of 1889, while Mr. Harris passed away in the fall of the same year. In the family were four children, Z. G. Harris being the only one born of the father's first mar- riage. The others are: Lottie, the wife of

JOHN TUNELL

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Wayman Withers, of Summer Lake valley; Minnie, the wife of Charles Hill, of Port- land; and Ada, the wife of Fred Jacobsen, of Portland.

Z. G. Harris remained at home until his father's death and then came to Summer Lake valley, and resided with his uncle for about three years. Starting out in life on his own account he worked for wages for about four years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until he was able to make investment in three hundred and sixty acres of land at the north end of Sum- mer lake. He operated that for a time and also leased a place known as the Lane ranch of sixteen hundred acres on Silver lake. There he remained for three years, after which he returned to the old home place and lived thereon for three years. On the expira- tion of that period he leased the Harvey ranch at the south end of Summer lake, com- prising thirteen hundred acres upon which he now makes his home. It is devoted to the raising of hay, grain and stock, and he has one hundred acres planted to grain, while each year he puts up about four hundred tons of hay. He also keeps about four hun- dred head of cattle and horses, the extensive ranch affording ample range for his stock. His own place is leased and adds materially to his income.

In 1895 Mr. Harris was married to Miss Alice Sullivan, who was engaged as a school teacher on Summer lake and was born on Davis creek, in the Goose Lake valley, Modoc county, California, July 7, 1876. She is a daughter of Calvin Luther and Elizabeth (Pe- tross) Sullivan, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Illinois. Both died at Goose Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Harris have four children, Beatrice, Bernice, Theta and Thelma. In politics Mr. Harris is an independent democrat, for while he usually holds to the principles of the party he does not consider himself bound by party ties and when his judgment dictates does not hesi- tate to support candidates of other parties. Fraternally he is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Woodmen of the World.

WILLIAM D. ROBINETT is the owner of a grain and fruit farm of one hundred acres on Summer lake and the improvements upon his place indicate him to be one of the pro- gressive agriculturists and fruit growers of Lake county. Like many another successful citizen of this part of the state he is a na- tive son of Oregon, having been born in Lane county, March 8, 1879, his parents being William M. and Isabel G. (Bristow) Robinett; who were natives of Illinois and Oregon re- spectively. In his childhood days the father came to this state with his parents, James and Jemima (Shield) Robinett. the former of whom died in Lane county while the lat- ter is residing in Creswell. The death of Wil- liam M. Robinett occurred in 1898, when he was forty-three years of age. He had fol- lowed ranching and merchandising and was held in high regard in the community in which he lived. Mrs. Isabel Robinett resides

at Pleasant Hill, Lane county, which is also the home of her daughter, Irene, who is the wife of Ed Higgins. Her two sons, older than the daughter, are William D. and Tru- inan D., the latter a resident of Davenport, Washington.

William D. Robinett spent his youthful days with his parents and learned the les- son that industry is the basis of all honor- able success and when supplemented by sound judgment always produces gratifying results. When he left home in 1900 he came to Lake county and for three or four years conducted a blacksmith shop at Silver Lake. He then purchased his present place, having one hundred acres upon which are found some of the best improvements to be seen in the Summer Lake valley. His land is devoted to the cultivation of grain and fruit and large crops are annually gathered. His orchards yield an abundant harvest. His interests are conducted along scientific lines and his labors are meeting with their logical out- come.

In 1902 Mr. Robinett was married to Miss Etta Sult, who was born in the Summer lake valley and is a daughter of Michael Sult, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Robinett have three children, The- resa, Dell and Clarice.

ALFRED R. LAND has since 1907 been local agent for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at Creswell, Oregon, and previous to settling there had been employed by the company for a number of years. He owns a forty acre farm in Illinois and a fine home and other property in Creswell. Mr. Land was born in White county, Illinois, July 2, 1876, a son of William and Margarette (Mc- Ilheren) Land. The father was born in Illi- nois while the mother is a native of South Carolina. They were married in the former state and made it their home. Mr. Land died July 31, 1905, but his wife is still liv- ing on the old homestead. In their family were the following children: John D., of Illi- nois; Richard E, and Edward, also residents of that state; Anna, who married J. H. Prince. of Illinois, and who is now deceased; Clara, the wife of William Russell. of Illinois; Louisa, the deceased wife of Dr. C. M. Qualls, of Illinois; Byrd A., also residing in that state; Fannie, who passed away at the age of three years; Alfred R., of this review ; and Newton C., of Illinois.

Alfred R. Land received his education in the common schools of Illinois, remaining at home with his parents and assisting his father on the farm during the periods of vacation, until he attained the age of twen- tv-two years, when he was married and began active life on his own account. His first work was at farming but shortly afterward he removed to Oregon. where he entered the employ of the Booth-Kelly Lumber Company at Saginaw, Oregon. He remained with that concern for one year and then was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company at various points as relief agent. He contin- ued in that connection until August 19. 1905. when he was given the position of night

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agent at Cottage Grove, where he remained for six months. He was then transferred to Saginaw, Oregon, as agent of the Sontli- ern Pacific, where he remained for two years, after which he was given charge of the sta- tion at Creswell, at which place he has been the Southern Pacific agent and local repre- sentative since. Mr. Land is the pro- prietor of a forty-acre farm in Illinois, owns his own nicely appointed home in Cres- well and other vacant property in that city. His wife is interested in the general feed and grain business in Creswell.

Mr. Land was married, March 19, 1899, to Miss Addie Fields, who was born in White county, Illinois, January 17. 1879, a daugh- ter of A. S. and Ellen (Boster) Fields. The wife's parents were both natives of Illinois, where they were married, and the father is still living on his homestead, having always been a farmer. The mother passed away in 1891. Mrs. Land is the eldest of five chil- dren born to her parents, the others being: Mackie, who passed away at the age of seven years; Ella, the wife of Henry Crouch, of White county, Illinois; Shannon S., living on the old homestead with his father; and Ver- non N., a railroad operator of Cottage Grove, Oregon. To Mr. and Mrs. Land were born five children of whom three are now liv- ing, namely: Charlie N., born October 19, 1903; Lucille, born March 16, 1906; and Le- ona, born December 3, 1908. Those deceased are: Russell, who died at the age of one and a half years; and one who passed away in infancy.

Mr. Land is an adherent of the principles and policies advocated by the republican party and is a member of the city council of Creswell. He belongs to the Railroad Telegraphers' Union. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, be- ing actively engaged in the work of that de- nomination. Both have a high-school educa- tion and since coming to Creswell have be- come popular in business, social and church circles, being greatly esteemed in the com- munity. Mr. Land is a loyal employe of his company who at the same time endeav- ors to the best of his ability to safeguard the interests of all who have transactions with the railroad by which he is employed. His business is transacted with a high degree of efficiency and his duties are so well per- formed that he is popular both with the of- ficials of the Southern Pacific and the busi- ness men of the city.

WILLIAM KERR. One of the best culti- vated and most attractive ranches located on Pacific highway is that of William Kerr, which contains one hundred and seventy-five acres and is located four miles northwest of Eugene. He has resided there for ten years and during that time has diligently and per- severingly applied himself not only to the improvement of his own place but to the de- velopment of the entire country through his able assistance in promoting the various pub- lic utilities.

He was born in Scotland in 1848 and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Walker) Kerr,

both of Scottish birth. The parents emi- grated to the United States in 1848 and lo- cated in Geneva, Illinois, whence they re- moved to Houston county, Minnesota. The mother is now living in Nobles county, that state, but the father passed away in 1886. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kerr, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth. The others are as follows: Jessie, who is deceased; Bryce, who lives in Roches- ter, Minnesota; Marion and Mary Jane, both of whom are deceased; Dora. the wife of Martin Stephens, of Pansford. Minnesota; Margaret, the wife of George Mitchel, of Rushmore, Minnesota ; John, who is deceased; Bell, the wife of Angus McKinzie, of Call- ton, Ohio; and Daniel, who lives in Toronto, Canada.

William Kerr was in his infancy when his parents removed to the United States, and was in his early childhood when they located in Minnesota. The greater part of his boyhood and youth were passed on a farm, his education being acquired in the dis- trict schools. He was an ambitious, enter- prising youth and made the best of every opportunity afforded him. In common with all lads reared in the country, at that period, le early began to assist with the work of the fields and care of the stock, laying the foundation for an agricultural career. Upon attaining his majority he left home and be- gan working for himself. Having been train- cd in habits of thrift and industry from childhood, he applied himself diligently and saved the greater portion of his earnings.

In early manhood Mr. Kerr was united in marriage and soon thereafter he homesteaded eighty acres of land in Minnesota and began farming for himself. His efforts were well remunerated and he subsequently increased his holdings by the purchase of another three hundred and twenty acres. He continued to reside in Minnesota engaging in diversified farming and stock-raising until 1902. Sell- ing his farm and other interests, he then removed to Oregon, locating at Eugene, at that time a town of about four thousand in- habitants. He immediately bought one hun- dred and seventy-five acres of the James Davis donation claim: thirty acres of this be- . ing planted to prunes and twenty to apples. Ninety acres of his ranch, Mr. Kerr devotes to general farming and he also engages in dairying and makes a specialty of the breed- ing and raising of high-grade cattle and hogs for the market. He is a man of good judgment and practical ideas and is meeting with success in his varions undertakings. Progressive and enterprising. he lias erected some good buildings on his place. and he was the first ranchman on Pacific highway be- tween there and Junction City to build a wire fence around his land. He now owns one of the best improved and most thoroughly equipped ranches in that vicinity and is numbered among the most successful and capable agriculturists.

In Minnesota, in 1872, Mr. Kerr was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Thom. a daughter of Francis and Margaret (Craigen) Thom. Mrs. Kerr is a native of Scotland

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as were likewise her parents who emigrated to the United States in 1856. They first settled in Wisconsin but two years later they removed to Minnesota, locating in Steele county. There the father passed away in 1882 and the mother in 1892. Twelve chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Thom: Hannah and William, who are deceased; George, who is a resident of Hutchinson, Min- nesota; Elizabeth, deceased; James, of Vern- dale, Minnesota; John, of Brownton, Minne- sota; Daniel, a missionary of the Congrega- tional church, located at Mardin, Turkey; Robert, of Owatonna, Minnesota; Mrs. Kerr; Francis, of Junction City, Oregon; Alexander, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Mary, the wife of W. J. Case of Duluth, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are the parents of eight children. Daniel was born in 1872 and educated in Worthington, Minnesota. He went to the front during the Spanish-American war as a member of the Thirteenth Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry and is now a locomotive en- gineer in the service of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. He is married and has three children: George, Leigh and Frederick. Robert F. was born in 1874 and given the advantages of a collegiate education. He owns a farm in Minnesota and engages in agricultural pursuits. Helen, who was born in 1876, after graduating from high school engaged in teaching in Minnesota and later in Oregon. She married W. H. Maxham and lives in Eugene. Jessie, whose birth occur- red in 1878, also engaged in teaching in both Minnesota and Oregon until her marriage to S. J. Gray, by whom she has had two chil- dren, Raymond and Virginia. They are also residents of Eugene. Winifred was born in . 1881 and is a graduate of the University of Oregon. She is now pursuing a course in domestic science at Simmons College. Fred- erick, a twin brother of Winifred, is a grad- uate of the University of Oregon and also of Yale. He is now in the United States for- estry service at Roseburg, Oregon. Raymond, whose birth occurred in 1884, also graduated from the University of Oregon and is now in liis last year at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. Bryce, the youngest member of the family, was born in 1892 and since fin- ishing his high-school course has remained at home, assisting his father with the opera- tion of the ranch.

The family affiliate with the Mehodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance Mr. Kerr gives to the republican party, al- though his views on the temperance ques- tion coincide with the prohibitionists. He is a, public-spirited man and takes an active and helpful interest in all things pertaining to the 'community welfare. While living in Minnesota he served for twelve years on the school board and he was also town clerk. at one time. He is progressive and enter- prising in whatever he undertakes and in the discharge of his duties as a citizen or public official manifests the same qualities that char- acterize him in his business transactions. When he first removed to his ranch the roads in that section were in a very bad condition and he was one of the citizens who spared

neither time nor labor in assisting to bring about an improvement. He has also contrib- uted substantially toward promoting the development of various other public utili- ties, and can always be depended upon to champion every movement inaugurated for the betterment of local conditions or to ad- vance the intellectual, moral, social or finan- cial status of the community. Mr. Kerr possesses the sterling and substantial qual- ities that characterize the Scotch people, and during the period of his. residence in Lane county has made many stanch friends.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 82

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1072

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1072